The historic Pimlico clubhouse and grandstands photographed in May 2025, shortly before redevelopment. Photo: Acroterion / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Few places in American horse racing possess the history, excitement and unmistakable character of Pimlico Race Course. Located in Baltimore, Maryland, Pimlico has been the setting for legendary Thoroughbred victories, high-society gatherings, enormous wagers and some of the most memorable moments in sporting history. Known affectionately as Old Hilltop, the racetrack is best recognized as the traditional home of the Preakness Stakes, the second jewel of American racing's Triple Crown.

Its story reaches back to the nineteenth century, when wealthy horse owners traveled to the races in elaborate carriages, bookmakers conducted their business beside the grandstands and a gentleman's reputation could sometimes depend upon the performance of his horse.

Today, Pimlico is experiencing one of the most dramatic transformations in its long history. The old grandstands are gone, construction crews are rebuilding the facility, and Maryland is making a substantial investment in preserving its place among the great American racing destinations.

A Racetrack Conceived at a Dinner Party

The origins of Pimlico sound remarkably like the beginning of a good nineteenth-century horse racing adventure.

In 1868, a group of prominent sportsmen gathered for dinner at the Union Hall Hotel in Saratoga Springs, New York. Among the guests was Maryland Governor Oden Bowie, an enthusiastic horseman with ambitions to bring world-class Thoroughbred racing to his home state.

During the festivities, the gentlemen proposed a major race for horses then in their yearling season. The event would be held two years later, and the winner would have the distinction of hosting another dinner for the unsuccessful competitors.

Bowie offered to build a new racetrack in Maryland specifically for the occasion.

True to his word, Pimlico Race Course opened on October 25, 1870, on approximately 70 acres of land outside Baltimore. The property was purchased for $23,500, while the original racetrack reportedly cost another $25,000 to construct.

Among the inaugural attractions was the Dinner Party Stakes, appropriately named for the gathering that inspired the entire enterprise.

The winner was a rather ungainly colt named Preakness, owned by Milton Holbrook Sanford. The horse had been named after Sanford's farm in New Jersey and would eventually become one of the important racing animals of his generation.

Three years later, in 1873, Pimlico introduced a new race for three-year-old Thoroughbreds and named it in honor of Sanford's horse.

The Preakness Stakes was born.

Why Pimlico Is Called Old Hilltop

The nickname Old Hilltop dates to a small rise that once occupied the racetrack's infield. In the nineteenth century, spectators gathered there for an especially good view of the racing action, often arriving in horse-drawn carriages and enjoying champagne lunches between races.

It was a fashionable social environment populated by prosperous Baltimore families, successful businessmen and influential figures from the racing world.

The hill itself was eventually removed in 1938, partly because it obstructed views across the racetrack. The affectionate nickname survived.

Over the decades, Pimlico became more than a sporting venue. It was one of Baltimore's great meeting places, where political figures, society personalities, bookmakers, breeders and ordinary racing enthusiasts mingled over the shared excitement of Thoroughbred competition.

The Preakness is also known as the Run for the Black-Eyed Susans, named for Maryland's state flower. The winning horse receives a ceremonial floral blanket fashioned to resemble the distinctive yellow blossoms.

Its traditional May celebration has combined serious racing with elaborate hats, fashionable hospitality, celebrity appearances and an especially enthusiastic infield crowd.

Seabiscuit, War Admiral and the Race That Captivated America

One of the most celebrated events in Pimlico history had nothing to do with the Preakness.

On November 1, 1938, two of America's most famous racehorses faced one another in an extraordinary match race at Pimlico.

In one corner was War Admiral, the magnificent son of Man o' War who had captured the 1937 Triple Crown. Representing established racing royalty, he was considered one of the finest Thoroughbreds of his generation.

His opponent was Seabiscuit, the unlikely champion whose rise from overlooked racehorse to national celebrity had captivated Depression-era America.

Seabiscuit's owner, automobile entrepreneur Charles S. Howard, had spent years developing the horse into a major racing attraction. War Admiral belonged to Samuel D. Riddle, who was also associated with the legendary Man o' War.

The showdown became a sporting spectacle of almost unimaginable proportions. Approximately 40,000 spectators packed Pimlico, while tens of millions of Americans followed the action by radio.

With jockey George Woolf aboard, Seabiscuit broke sharply, challenged War Admiral through the race and ultimately pulled away to win by four lengths.

The victory cemented Seabiscuit's place in American sporting folklore and gave Pimlico one of the most famous afternoons in racing history.

Secretariat and the Greatest Preakness Performance

If Seabiscuit supplied Pimlico with its greatest match race, Secretariat provided one of its greatest individual performances.

On May 19, 1973, Secretariat arrived in Baltimore having already won the Kentucky Derby in sensational fashion. His connections included owner Penny Chenery, trainer Lucien Laurin and jockey Ron Turcotte.

The big chestnut colt delivered an unforgettable display of acceleration, sweeping around his rivals and taking command before winning the Preakness convincingly.

His official winning time was eventually recognized as 1:53 for 1 3/16 miles, a Pimlico track record that remains one of racing's enduring achievements.

Several weeks later, Secretariat completed the Triple Crown with his legendary 31-length victory in the Belmont Stakes.

His name remains inseparable from Pimlico's history.

The Champions Who Made Pimlico Famous

Pimlico's long history reads like a gathering of racing royalty. A few of its most memorable champions deserve special recognition.

Other unforgettable Preakness winners include Affirmed in 1978, Spectacular Bid in 1979, Sunday Silence in 1989, Smarty Jones in 2004, Justify in 2018 and War of Will in 2019.

War of Will charges to victory in the 2019 Preakness Stakes. Photo: Maryland GovPics, CC BY 2.0.

Society, Celebrities and Baltimore's Biggest Party

The Preakness has never been merely a horse race. Over the years, it developed into one of the most recognizable social occasions in the Mid-Atlantic states.

Corporate entertaining, elaborate race-day outfits, fashionable women in spectacular hats and private hospitality suites became an essential part of the Preakness experience.

Much like the Kentucky Derby, Pimlico attracted politicians, television personalities, professional athletes, entertainers and prominent business figures.

The infield, meanwhile, cultivated a considerably rowdier reputation. For generations, the Preakness infield was famous for its enormous crowds, spirited revelry and occasional outrageous behavior.

That atmosphere eventually inspired the InfieldFest concert experience, where nationally recognized musicians and DJs entertained fans between races.

The contrast between formal grandstand hospitality and exuberant infield entertainment helped give Pimlico a personality all its own.

For Baltimore, Preakness weekend represented racing tradition, social prestige and a citywide celebration rolled into one.

The Other Great Races of Pimlico

Although the Preakness commands the headlines, several other important Thoroughbred races have helped establish Pimlico's reputation.

The Final Preakness at the Old Pimlico

On May 17, 2025, Pimlico hosted the 150th running of the Preakness Stakes, an event filled with nostalgia and considerable emotion.

For many racing fans, it was their last opportunity to experience the historic grandstands that had overlooked the racetrack for generations.

The race itself produced an exciting finish when Journalism, trained by Michael McCarthy and ridden by Umberto Rispoli, prevailed in the closing strides to capture the Preakness.

It was a fitting conclusion to an era at Old Hilltop.

Following the meeting, Maryland began dismantling the aging structures in preparation for a major reconstruction project.

While many longtime patrons mourned the disappearance of the old buildings, the redevelopment was designed to address serious infrastructure problems and provide Maryland racing with modern facilities capable of supporting the sport well into the future.

2026: A Historic Preakness at Laurel Park

With Pimlico closed for reconstruction, the 151st Preakness Stakes took place at Laurel Park on May 16, 2026.

It represented a significant departure from tradition. Laurel Park, approximately halfway between Baltimore and Washington, D.C., became the temporary host of one of America's most celebrated Thoroughbred races.

The winner was Napoleon Solo, a gray colt owned by Gold Square LLC, trained by Chad Summers and ridden by Paco Lopez.

Napoleon Solo prevailed by 1 1/4 lengths, giving both Summers and Lopez their first victories in a Triple Crown event.

The race demonstrated that the Preakness tradition could continue even while its historic Baltimore home was being transformed.

Pimlico's $400 Million Transformation

The redevelopment of Pimlico represents one of the most ambitious American racetrack construction programs in recent memory.

In 2024, Maryland authorized the issuance of $400 million in bonds to help finance the reconstruction of Pimlico and the development of associated Thoroughbred training facilities.

The new Pimlico is being designed as a modern racing and entertainment destination with improved facilities for Thoroughbreds, their caretakers and the spectators who come to watch them compete.

Planned amenities include new racing facilities, an expanded hospitality experience, modern restaurants and event spaces, improved visitor circulation, and a new clubhouse incorporating architectural features that recall Pimlico's historic identity.

The project also includes improvements to the backstretch, where the stable workers, grooms, exercise riders and trainers who form the backbone of the racing business perform their work.

Those improvements are particularly important. Although the Preakness shines a national spotlight on Maryland racing for one weekend each year, the future of the sport depends upon the people and horses who support racing throughout the entire season.

A New Future for Maryland Horse Racing

The Pimlico reconstruction is part of a broader effort to stabilize Thoroughbred racing in Maryland.

In July 2026, the Maryland Stadium Authority completed the acquisition of Laurel Park, which is intended to serve as a major training center for the state's Thoroughbred industry.

Under the long-term plans, Pimlico is expected to become Maryland's principal racing venue, eventually hosting approximately 120 racing days annually.

Laurel Park will provide essential training infrastructure, including facilities for a substantial population of Thoroughbreds and the horsemen who care for them.

This arrangement is intended to create a more sustainable system, concentrating racing at one modern location while maintaining a major training operation elsewhere.

For breeders, owners and trainers, the success of this approach will depend upon competitive purses, attractive racing programs and the availability of appropriate facilities for horses at every stage of their careers.

For Maryland's horse industry, the stakes extend well beyond a single racecourse. Thousands of workers and numerous agricultural businesses depend upon the continued vitality of Thoroughbred racing.

What the New Pimlico Could Mean for Bettors

From a horseplayer's perspective, an expanded Pimlico racing calendar would create new opportunities to study local Thoroughbred form, develop wagering strategies and follow horses over a longer period of competition.

The traditional Pimlico dirt course measured one mile around, with the Preakness contested over 1 3/16 miles. As racing returns, bettors will want to pay close attention to how the rebuilt racing surfaces perform.

Changes in track configuration, surface composition, drainage and maintenance can influence racing tactics. Early races at a reconstructed facility may provide valuable information about post-position performance, pace patterns and preferred running styles.

Particular attention should be paid to horses that compete regularly at the new Pimlico, as experience on a particular racing surface can sometimes become a meaningful handicapping advantage.

The key will be judging the reconstructed track on its own merits rather than assuming the old course's racing tendencies will remain unchanged.

Planning a Visit to the New Pimlico

For racing enthusiasts considering a trip to Baltimore, the return of the Preakness in 2027 promises to be a particularly noteworthy occasion.

Visitors can combine the races with Baltimore's Inner Harbor, historic waterfront neighborhoods, excellent seafood restaurants and the city's many cultural attractions.

Because of the ongoing redevelopment, spectators should verify transportation arrangements, ticket availability, seating options and hospitality accommodations before making reservations.

The Tradition Must Go On

Horse racing has changed considerably since Governor Oden Bowie and his wealthy companions dreamed up a new racetrack over dinner in Saratoga.

The horse-drawn carriages have disappeared. The bookmakers with their chalkboards have given way to electronic wagering. Grandstands that once accommodated elegantly dressed gentlemen in top hats now belong to another era.

But the excitement of watching a Thoroughbred charge down the homestretch remains exactly as compelling as it was in 1870.

Pimlico's greatest legacy is not merely its collection of famous horses or the prestige of the Preakness Stakes. It is the generations of racing people who have made the place part of their lives, from champion trainers and millionaire owners to exercise riders, stablehands and ordinary spectators.

Seabiscuit defeated War Admiral here. Secretariat displayed his brilliance here. Generations of champions thundered around Old Hilltop while millions of Americans watched and wagered.

Now Baltimore has the opportunity to build a racetrack worthy of that extraordinary history.

The grandstands may be new, but the ghosts of champions past will always belong to Pimlico.